A Multifunctional Fillet Composite Stud Assembly and Building System

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly for a building system including complementary half stud members adapted to be joined to form a complete stud. Each member including a rebate to create a channel or recess in the center of the assembled stud adapted to receive a multifunctional fillet which confers requisite acoustic, thermal or fire ratings. A method of use in building.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in particular but not exclusively to a versatile building system incorporating a composite stud and multifunctional fillet assembly which has the ability to vary and confer acoustic, thermal and fire protection in accordance with relevant regulatory building code compliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current prior art building systems require thermal and fire protection to be included in structural framing components to comply with various building codes and regulations. It is important that fires are isolated and thermal conductivity localized to control and prevent damage spreading to other parts of a building. The transfer of heat and fire through building panels can severely affect the structural integrity of the framework. A salient example is where a fire in one room of a building is able to pass through panel joints and buckle or combust the wall stud and framing members which may load or weaken interrelated support structures in another room thereby causing collapse of the entire building itself. This can have disastrous consequences especially in fires in high rise or multi story dwellings where structural integrity of the entire framing system is critical.

In view of the above-mentioned limitations, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and inventive multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly which is characterized by relatively speedy installation, high fire resistance, high weight bearing capacity, good sound insulation and most importantly, is cost effective relative to performance when compared to existing and traditional building systems.

It is a specific object to provide a versatile system wherein a component can be easily selected or varied in structural framework utilizing the invention to comply with a relevant building or regulatory code as required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred aspect, the invention resides in a multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly for a building system including:

-   -   a pair of complementary half stud members adapted to be joined         together back to back to form a complete stud;     -   each half stud member including a rebate along one or more         longitudinal flanges of the half stud members;     -   wherein on joining the half stud members, the rebates create a         channel or recess along the center of the assembled stud;     -   the channel or recess adapted to receive a multifunctional         fillet which spans across to cover the join between the half         stud members;     -   the completed assembly utilized in structural framework and         covered by paneling or cladding; the fillet specially adapted to         confer compliance of the building system with relevant specified         or codified building regulations as required.

Preferably, the half stud members are roll formed from galvanized sheet steel. The half stud members may include other rebates to create recesses, for example, for services including electrical and communications cabling and hydraulic services.

In the alternative, the half stud members are extruded aluminum sections.

The multifunctional fillet is comprised of a high strength nonflammable material such as comprising one of or a combination of magnesium oxide, calcium silicate, fiber reinforced cement or materials with similar resilient properties.

Preferably, the multifunctional fillet is interchangeable, the selection of which confers requisite acoustic, thermal and fire ratings in compliance with the specified or codified building regulations.

Suitably, the multifunctional fillet is affixed in the channel or recess by heat resistant adhesive.

In a preferred example, the fillet can include decorative beading running the length of the fillet between adjoining outer panel sheets.

In another aspect, the invention resides in a method of building using the multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly according to any one of the above claims including the steps of:

-   -   (a) assembling the complementary half stud members to form studs         of a structural frame;     -   (b) fixing the multifunctional fillets in channels or recesses         of the assembled studs;     -   (c) covering the structural frame with desired paneling or         cladding (e) repeating steps (b) and (c) as required.

Preferably, the pair of complementary half stud members are joined together onsite to form the stud prior to use. However they could be pre-joined in a factory off site and supplied to a customer in the form of complete studs.

It is submitted that the invention has the main beneficial effect of being a one-step combination fire, thermal and weatherproofing join detail solution. It also has benefit of significantly improving installation times over existing prior art systems.

The present system and method solves shortcomings of current structural insulated panel (SIP) systems by incorporating a structural metal frame within the panel, giving the system a much greater capacity in regard to load tolerance. It provides a prefabricated structure having good thermal insulation properties with characteristics of fast installation and greatly improved architectural aesthetic appearance.

It is submitted that compared to existing systems, the invention in the form wherein each half stud member includes a rebate running along opposite longitudinal flanges on opposite sides of said half stud members to comprise a double fillet arrangement. The double fillet arrangement significantly advances and improves the structural framework but also its installation and assembly time over the prior art. The efficiency of the double fillet arrangement also contributes to structural framework being easily fire, thermal and acoustic building code compliant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention is better understood and able to be put into practice, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the invention aims to provide a fillet and composite stud assembly which confers thermal and fire protection. A pair of complementary half stud members 10, 12 are adapted to be joined together back to back to form a complete stud. Each half stud member includes rebates 10 a, 10 b and 12 a, 12 b along longitudinal flanges 10 c, 10 d and 12 c, 12 d, respectively. On joining the half stud members 10, 12, the rebates create a channel or recess along the center of the assembled stud. Preferably, the half stud members are roll formed from galvanized sheet steel or in the alternative, are extruded aluminum sections. The half stud members may include other rebates to create recesses, for example, for utilities and other requisite services in the wall space 13 (see FIG. 1.).

Multifunctional fillets 14, 16 are inserted in the channels to span across and cover the join between the half stud members. Suitably, the multifunctional fillet is affixed in the channel or recess by heat resistant adhesive.

The fillet can include decorative beading 14 a, 16 a running the length of the fillet between adjoining outer panel sheets 18, 20 and 22, 24.

The multifunctional fillets are comprised of high strength nonflammable material preferably including one of or a combination of magnesium oxide, calcium silicate, and/or fiber reinforced cement. The facility of a selection of fillets confers requisite acoustic, thermal and fire ratings in compliance with relevant building regulations as required presently or in the future.

Notwithstanding the preferred materials, other equivalent or improved fillets which are currently being developed or fillets which may be necessary to comply with future building codes are still able to be used with the present design of the stud assembly.

It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that, in addition to the embodiments mentioned above, other equivalent technical solutions are also within the scope of the invention.

Variations

It will of course be realized that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

In the specification the terms “comprising” and “containing” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms “comprising” and “containing” such as “comprise”, “comprises”, “contain” and “contains”. 

1. A multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly for a building system including: a pair of complementary half stud members adapted to be joined together back to back to form a complete stud; each half stud member including a rebate along one or more longitudinal flanges of the half stud members; wherein on joining the half stud members, the rebates create a channel or recess along the center of the assembled stud; the channel or recess adapted to receive a multifunctional fillet which spans across to cover the join between the half stud members; the completed assembly utilized in structural framework and covered by paneling or cladding; the fillet specially adapted to confer compliance of the building system with relevant specified or codified building regulations as required.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the multifunctional fillet is interchangeable, the selection of which confers requisite acoustic, thermal and fire ratings in compliance with the specified or codified building regulations.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the multifunctional fillet comprises a high strength nonflammable material including one of or a combination of magnesium oxide, calcium silicate, and/or fiber reinforced cement.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein, the half stud members are roll formed from galvanized sheet steel.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the half stud members are extruded aluminum sections.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the half stud members include other rebates to create recesses for utilities and services including electrical and communications cabling and hydraulic services.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the multifunctional fillet is affixed in the channel or recess by heat resistant adhesive.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 including decorative beading running the length of the fillet between adjoining outer paneling and cladding sheets.
 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each half stud member includes a rebate running along opposite longitudinal flanges on opposite sides of said half stud members to comprise a double fillet arrangement.
 11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pair of complementary half stud members are joined together onsite to form a complete stud prior to use.
 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pair of complementary half stud members are joined together offsite and supplied in the form of a complete stud.
 13. A method of building using the multifunctional fillet and composite stud assembly according to any one of the above claims including the steps of: (a) assembling the complementary half stud members to form studs of a structural frame; (b) fixing the multifunctional fillets in channels or recesses of the assembled studs; (c) covering the structural frame with desired paneling or cladding (f) repeating steps (b) and (c) as required. 